Information input/ output unit

ABSTRACT

An information input/output unit according to the present invention includes a receiving cavity capable of accommodating therein two different species of noncontact information media having shapes differing from each other and an antenna part capable of performing communication by radio with the noncontact information media. The unit can communicate with a close-fit-type noncontact information medium without fail and preferably with predetermined degree of freedom for the shapes of the media.

This application is the national phase under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of PCTInternational Application No. PCT/JP00/07901 which has an Internationalfiling date of Nov. 9, 2000, which designated the United States ofAmerica.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to an information input/outputunit, and more particularly the invention concerns an informationinput/output unit which can perform communication contactless with anoncontact information medium which incorporates therein an IC modulecapable of recording data. At this juncture, with the phrase “noncontactinformation medium incorporating an IC module”, it is intended to mean amedium which is provided with an IC module including an IC chip as aninformation storing medium and which is designed for performingcontactless or noncontact communication with external apparatus orequipment inclusive of the information input/output unit irrespective ofthe wavelength of radio wave and the distance or range of communicationso far as it can be effectuated in a contactless or noncontact manner.

BACKGROUND ART

As a typical one of the noncontact information media each incorporatingan IC chip or IC module, there may be mentioned a noncontact IC carddesigned for communicating with external apparatus or equipment bymaking use of an electromagnetic or radio wave and microwave. At thisjuncture, with the phrase “IC card” used in this specification, it iscontemplated that smart card, intelligent card, chip-in card,microcircuit (microcomputer) card, memory card, super card,multi-function card, combination card and the like are to becomprehensively covered, by “IC card”. It should further be mentionedthat the shape of the noncontact information medium incorporating the ICchip is never restricted to the card-like shape. Accordingly, thenoncontact information medium conceptually includes a so-called IC tagas well. Incidentally, with the phrase “IC tag”, it is intended to meanall the information storing mediums of postage stamp size or ofsubminiature size smaller than the former or coin-like shape so far asthe functions similar to those of the IC chip can be realized.

The information input/output unit according to the present invention canadvantageously be implemented as a reader/writer designed for use incombination with a close-fit-type noncontact information medium having arelatively short range of communication on the order of zero to severalmillimeters by taking advantage of electromagnetic induction inter alia.However, the mate for the communication with the informationinput/output unit is not always restricted to such noncontactinformation medium that is equipped with the IC chip. It is sufficientthat the noncontact information medium is provided with at least theantenna through which communication with the reader/writer can beeffected. By way of example, the mate for the communication with thereader/writer may be a booster which includes a coil(s) and acapacitor(s) and which extends the communication range of the noncontactIC card.

The readers/writers may be classified into a contact type species and anoncontact type species in accordance with the methods of communicationwith the noncontact information media such as the IC chip, the IC tagand others. Among them, the noncontact type reader/writer hasadvantageous features that no contact failure occurs because of theabsence of contacts with the IC card, the reader/writer can be usedmovably with a distance in the range of a few centimeters to several tencentimeters and that the reader/writer exhibits remarkableinsusceptibility to soil, rain and static electricity, promising thus anincreasing popularity together with the noncontact information media forthe not-so-distant future.

The noncontact IC card is designed to make available an electric powerfor operation from the radio wave received from the reader/writerthrough electromagnetic induction and exchange data with thereader/writer. The noncontact IC card includes an antenna (e.g. antennacoil) and an IC chip as discrete or independent members, respectively.The antenna serves for transmission/reception of radio wave with thereader/writer. The IC chip includes a nonvolatile memory and the likeand is electrically connected to the antenna. Packaging of this typenoncontact IC card encounters technical difficulty in electricallyconnecting minute-size terminals of the IC chip with the antenna.Besides, wire breakage is likely to occur in the interconnectingportions under the influence of a stress applied to the card which isintrinsically flexible. Further, there is required a base plate orsubstrate for holding the IC chip and the antenna, involving increase inthe manufacturing cost. Additionally, the inspection of the electricalinterconnections, the antenna and the IC chip for confirming theoperation can be carried out only after the IC chip and the antenna havebeen packaged and interconnected, which means that the manufacturingefficiency is not to be satisfied.

Under the circumstances, an coil-on IC chip in which the antenna coil isincorporated in the IC chip (i.e., on-chip implementation) has recentlybeen proposed in view of the demand for miniaturization of componentsand multi-functional purpose. The coil-on IC chip is advantageous inthat the problems involved in the packaging can be mitigated because theantenna coil and the IC chip are electrically connected to each otheralready at the wafer level. Additionally, the coil-on IC chip allows thenoncontact information medium to be miniaturized in various shapes. Inparticular, in view of the fact that the reader/writer is expected to beused as a function extending device for the personal computer withoutbeing restricted to the use as the credit card or the like knownheretofore, it is conceived that the shape of the noncontact informationmedium is not limited to the card but implemented in numerous andvarious types of shapes for many applications by taking into account theminiaturization, maneuverability or manipulatabillty, maintainability,aesthetic appearance, user's preference and so forth.

The conventional reader/writer known heretofore however suffers aproblem that the data communication with the close-fit-type noncontactinformation medium whose communication range is short as on the order ofseveral millimeters (e.g. the noncontact information mediumincorporating the coil-on IC chip described above) can not be performedin a satisfactory manner. Certainly, the reader/writer can performcommunication with the noncontact information medium having a relativelylong communication range on the order of several centimeters to severalten centimeters with a distance from the noncontact information medium.However, for effecting communication with the close-fit-type noncontactinformation medium, it is required that not only the noncontactinformation medium is fit closely but also the antennas of both thenoncontact information medium and the reader/writer are positionedaccurately on the order of several millimeters. Under the circumstances,the coil-on IC chip has not been put to practical use yet due to thedifficulty in positioning the noncontact information medium.

Furthermore, the conventional reader/writer known heretofore alsosuffers a problem that the degree of freedom is less afforded in respectto the shape of the close-fit-type noncontact information medium. Inthis conjunction, it is noted that the shape of the conventionalnoncontact information medium having a relatively long communicationrange does not present any serious problem because it is intrinsicallydesigned to communicate with the reader/writer with a distancetherefrom. By contrast, the close-fit-type noncontact information mediumcan be implemented in various shapes because of susceptibility tominiaturization in general. However, it becomes more difficult toposition and fit closely the close-fit-type noncontact informationmedium relative to the reader/writer although it depends on the shape(e.g. coin-like shape of the close-fit-type noncontact informationmedium). Needless to say, the conventional readers/writers are not inthe position to handle a plurality of various close-fit-type noncontactinformation media having different shapes, respectively.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

In the light of the state of the art described above, it is a generaland typical object of the present invention to provide a novel anduseful information input/output unit which can solve the problems of theconventional information input/output units.

More specifically, it is a typical object of the present invention toprovide an information input/output unit which is capable ofcommunicating with a close-fit-type noncontact information mediumwithout fail and preferably with a predetermined degree of freedom forthe shapes of the media.

For achieving the objects described above, the information input/outputunit according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,i.e., an exemplary mode for carrying out the invention, includes a mainbody having an antenna part for exchanging information with noncontactinformation media and is capable of performing information exchange withplural species of noncontact information media of different shapesincorporating internally communication-destined antennas atpredetermined positions, respectively, wherein the informationinput/output unit is characterized by a means for selectively regulatingpositions of the noncontact information media in dependence on thespecies of the noncontact information media, respectively, such that theantenna part of the information input/output unit can face oppositely alocation at which the communication-destined antenna is incorporated inthe noncontact information medium of any species as selected. Theinformation input/output unit described above can perform communicationwith plural species of noncontact information media having differentshapes, respectively, by virtue of the provision of the positionregulating means. Especially, the information input/output unit canpositively perform communication with the noncontact information mediumimplemented with a closely fitting contour shape.

The information input/output unit according to another exemplaryembodiment of the present invention includes a connecting portion forpositioning the noncontact information medium having a curvilinearsurface contour by engaging with the above-mentioned curvilinear surfacecontour and an antenna part capable of communicating with theabove-mentioned noncontact information medium by radio. The informationinput/output unit of the arrangement described above can perform radiocommunication with a noncontact information medium having a curvilinearsurface such as a coin shape and is capable of communicating with anoncontact information medium implemented in a closely fitting structurewith high reliability by virtue of the function of positioning thenoncontact information medium as assured by the connecting part.

The noncontact information medium according to a further exemplaryembodiment of the present invention includes a first antenna part, afirst IC chip connected to the first antenna part, a second antenna partand a second IC chip connected to the first antenna part. The noncontactinformation medium of the structure mentioned above can realize amultiplicity of functions or multi-function performance with the firstand second IC chips (e.g. by storing and/or processing different typesof data).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing generally a communicationsystem composed of an information input/output unit and a noncontactinformation medium according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention together with an electronic apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the information input/output unit shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the information input/output unit shown in FIG.1.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the information input/output unit shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a rear side view of a back cover of the informationinput/output unit shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram showing generally an arrangement ofa communication module shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing in more concrete a structure of thecommunication module shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view showing generally a noncontact IC cardas an example of the noncontact information medium shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view of the noncontact IC card shown inFIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view for illustrating the principleof reading an invisible bar code on the noncontact IC card shown in FIG.8.

FIG. 11 is a chart for illustrating, by way of example, signalsrepresenting the invisible bar code as read.

FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective plan view showing a coil-on IC chipemployed in the noncontact information medium shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing conceptually a structure of thecoil-on IC chip shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing in more detail individual constituentmodule of the coil-on chip shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a schematic plan view showing generally a noncontact IC tagas another example of the noncontact information medium shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 16 shows schematic sectional views for illustrating states in whichthe noncontact information media are placed within receiving cavities,respectively, of the information input/output unit shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 17 is a schematic sectional view showing a modification of theinformation input/output unit shown in FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a schematic perspective plan view showing a modification ofthe receiving cavities formed in the information input/output unit shownin FIG. 2.

FIG. 19 is a schematic perspective plan view showing anothermodification of the receiving cavity formed in the informationinput/output unit shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 20 is a schematic sectional view of the receiving cavity shown inFIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is a schematic plan view showing a modification of thenoncontact IC card as another example of the noncontact informationmedium shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 22 is a schematic plan view showing another modification of thenoncontact IC card as yet another example of the noncontact informationmedium shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing an exemplary structure of a memory ofthe IC module shown in FIG. 14.

FIG. 24 is a schematic plan view showing a modification of the coil-onIC chip shown in FIG. 12.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In the following, description will be made of a reader/writer 100 whichrepresents an exemplary embodiment of the information input/output unitaccording to the present invention by reference to the accompanyingdrawings. Incidentally, throughout the accompanying drawings, same partsor members are denoted by like reference numerals and repeateddescription thereof is omitted. The reader/writer 100 is connected to anote-type personal computer 300 which is an exemplary one of electronicapparatuses or equipments. The reader/writer is capable of communicatingwith both of a noncontact IC card 202 and a coin-shaped noncontact ICtag 204. Parenthetically, in the description which follows, both thenoncontact IC card and the noncontact coin-shaped IC tag willcollectively be referred to as “noncontact information medium or media”.Thus, in the case of the instant embodiment, it is presumed, by way ofexample only, that the reader/writer 100 serves as a function extendingunit for the note-type personal computer 300. Incidentally, FIG. 1 is aschematic perspective view showing generally a communication system 1which is comprised of the reader/writer 100, the noncontact informationmedia and the note type personal computer 300.

As is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the reader/writer 100 is composed of acasing 10, receiving cavities 40 and 50, lamps 62 and 64, a switch 72,rubber pads 80 and a cord 98. The casing 10 may be formed of e.g. aplastic material and includes a front cover 20 and a back cover 30, asis shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, wherein there are provided e.g. four rubberpads 80 at corner portions, respectively, of the bottom. Incidentally.FIG. 2 is a front view of the reader/writer 100. FIG. 3 is a side viewof the reader/writer 100. FIG. 4 is a sectional view of thereader/writer 100. FIG. 5 is a rear side view of the back cover 30 ofthe reader/writer 100.

As a modification, the casing 10 may be implemented integrally with akeyboard of the note-type personal computer 300 or as an extension unitthereof. Alternatively, the casing 10 may be implemented integrally witha main body or an accessory device (e.g. remote controller of atelevision) of other electronic apparatuses (e.g. PDA, hand-heldpersonal computer, wearable computer, television, cellular phone, gamemachine or the like), differing from the instant embodiment of theinvention.

The front cover 20 and the back cover 30 are connected together by meansof screws or other coupling members. The front cover 20 is provided withthe receiving cavities 40 and 50, the lamps 62 and 64 and the switch 72,as shown in FIG. 2.

The receiving cavity 40 is adapted to be partially engaged with thenoncontact IC card 202 while partially housing the same. Morespecifically, the receiving cavity 40 is so designed as to position thenoncontact IC card 202 at a predetermined position where an antenna part120 of the reader/writer 100 can perform communication with an IC chip210 of the noncontact IC card 202, as will be described later on.Similarly, the receiving cavity 50 is adapted to partially engage withthe noncontact IC tag 204 while partially housing the same. Morespecifically, the receiving cavity 50 is also so designed as to positionthe noncontact IC tag 204 at a predetermined position where the antennapart 120 of the reader/writer 100 can communicate with the IC chip 210of the noncontact IC tag 204, as described later on.

As will be described hereinafter, thickness of the noncontact IC card202 (0.76 mm in the case of the instant embodiment of the invention) isthinner than that of the noncontact IC tag 204 (1.5 mm in the case ofthe instant embodiment) while the area (size) of the front surface ofthe noncontact IC card 202 (which measures 54 mm in length and 85.6 mmin width in the case of the instant embodiment) is larger than the area(size) of the front surface of the noncontact IC tag 204 (which measures15 mm×15 mm×in the case of the instant embodiment).

FIG. 16 shows schematically in sectional views a state in which the card202 has been placed in the receiving cavity 40 and a state in which thenoncontact IC tag 204 is placed within the receiving cavity 50. Acommunication module 110 of the reader/writer 100 can communicate with acoil-on IC chip 250 of the noncontact information medium 200 through themedium of an antenna 142. In the case of the structure shown in FIGS. 1and 16, the card 202 and the tag 204 can not simultaneously be insertedinto the receiving cavities 40 and 50. By contrast, FIG. 17 showsschematically in a sectional view a reader/writer 100 a in whichreceiving cavities 40 a and 50 a are separated or partitioned from eachother. In the case of the structure shown in FIG. 17, the communicationmodule 110 is capable of simultaneously carrying out communication withthe two types of noncontact information media 202 and 204. Thereader/writer of this structure may be used with improved efficiency foreffectuating e.g. electronic transaction by storing electronic money inthe noncontact IC card 202 while storing in the noncontact IC tag 204 anaddress of a home page for making access to an internet site.

As is indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 2, the receiving cavity 40 hasa contour 42 of an approximately rectangle shape in conformance with ashape of the card while the receiving cavity 50 has a contour 52 of anapproximately U-like shape in conformance with the coin-like shape. Asshown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the receiving cavity 50 is formed in front ofthe receiving cavity 40, wherein the thickness of the receiving cavity40 is smaller than that of the receiving cavity 50. In FIG. 2, asingle-dotted broken line indicates the state in which the noncontact ICtag 204 has been inserted. Of course, as a modification, the receivingcavity 40 may be realized by employing a U-like frame 46 for therebyallowing the card 202 to be received therein while the receiving cavity50 may be composed of a V-like frame 56 to allow the tag 204 to bereceived therein, as shown in FIG. 18. Parenthetically, FIG. 18 is aschematic perspective plan view showing a modification of the receivingcavities 40 and 50 shown in FIG. 2.

The receiving cavities 40 and 50 has a concave-convex or corrugatedsurface 44 which is common in part to both the cavities. The corrugatedsurface 44 serves facilitate the smooth insertion and removal of thenoncontact IC card 202 and the noncontact IC tag 204 into and from thereader/writer 202.

The lamps 62 and 64 are provided for indicating the state of thereader/writer 100. As a selectable modification, the reader/writer 100may be provided with a liquid crystal panel (not shown) for displayingdata of the noncontact IC card 202 and that of the noncontact IC tag204. The lamp 62 serves for indicating whether or not the reader/writer100 is in the operating state performing communication with thenoncontact IC card 202 and the noncontact IC tag 204 while indicating atthe same time whether or not operation error has taken place. The lamp62 may be so designed as to indicate the communicating operation stateand occurrence of operation error discriminatively from each other. Byway of example, the lamp 62 may be lit in the course of thecommunicating operation while being flashed on/off upon occurrence ofoperation error or alternatively the lamp 62 may be lit in differentcolors for indicating the communicating operation and the occurrence ofoperation error discriminatively from each other. As a furtherselectable modification, the lamp 62 may be constituted by a pair oflamps, one for indicating the communicating operation and the other forindicating occurrence of an operation error. When electric power isbeing supplied to the reader/writer 100, the lamp 64 is lit while it isdeenergized when the power supply to the reader/writer is turned off.The lamp 64 may be operated with a different color in a fashiondiffering from the lamp 62. Furthermore, the lamps may be replaced by aliquid crystal panel or a speaker or the like substantially to the sameeffect.

Referring to FIG. 5, the switch 72 cooperates with a spring 74, aretaining plate 76 and a release unit 78 to constitute a pop-upmechanism 70 (not shown). The switch 72 is designed to engage with thenoncontact IC card 202 and the noncontact IC tag 204 placed in thereceiving cavities 40 and 50, respectively, to move downwardly againstthe spring force of the spring 74 secured fixedly to the front cover 20through the medium of the retaining plate 76 to a position indicated bya broken line in FIG. 4 to thereby press a projection 79 of the releaseunit 78. As a result of this, the reader/writer 100 can detect insertionof the noncontact IC card 202 or the noncontact IC tag 204. Aftercommunication for data exchange or transaction, the projection 79 of therelease unit 78 springs out to cause the switch 72 to resume theoriginal position. At the same time, the switch 72 moves upwardly underthe urgency of the spring 74 to force the noncontact IC card 202 or thenoncontact IC tag 204 to project outwardly so that it can easily betaken out.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, a notch 47 may be formedin a retaining plate 48 which supports the noncontact IC tag 204 (thenoncontact IC card 202 is omitted from illustration because the sameholds true for this card), wherein a finger may be inserted in the notch47 for placing the noncontact IC tag 204 within a receiving cavity 40 band removing it from the receiving cavity 40 b, as shown in FIGS. 19 and20. Parenthetically, FIG. 19 is a schematic perspective plan viewshowing the receiving cavity 40 b as a modification of the receivingcavity 40, and FIG. 20 is a sectional view of the receiving cavity 40 b.

The cord 98 is implemented as a USB cord in the case of the instantembodiment. However, the cord may be constituted by an RS232C cord orother. It goes without saying that the cord 98 (and the connector) willhave to be changed in dependence on the electronic equipment oraccessory apparatus thereof as used.

The reader/writer 100 includes a communication module 110, as shown inFIGS. 4, 6 and 7. At this juncture, FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagramshowing generally an arrangement of the communication module 110, andFIG. 7 is a block diagram showing in more concrete a structure of thecommunication module 110.

As shown in FIG. 6, the communication module 110 includes a controlinterface part 120 and an antenna part 140 which are interconnected viaa cable 130. The communication module 110 is designed to send to andreceive from the noncontact information medium 200 a radio wave W havinga carrier frequency fc for communication with the noncontact informationmedium 200 by radio. For the radio wave W, a carrier frequency fc of agiven frequency band (e.g. 13.56 MHz) can be used. The communicationmodule 110 is connected to the note-type personal computer 300 throughthe medium of the control interface part 120. However, the communicationmodule 110 may be connected to other electronic apparatus (such asdesk-top personal computer, PAD or the like) instead of connection tothe note-type personal computer 300.

The control interface part 120 incorporates therein a transmissioncircuit (modulation circuit) 122, a reception circuit (demodulationcircuit) 124 and a controller 126. The transmission circuit 122 isdesigned to modulate data supplied from the note-type personal computer300 by making use of the carrier frequency fc to thereby convert thedata into a transmission signal which is then fed to the antenna part140. For the modulation to this end, any appropriate modulation schemeavailable in the art may be adopted.

In the reception circuit 124, the signal received from the noncontactinformation medium by way of the antenna part 140 is converted to a baseband signal to thereby derive data which is then sent to the note-typepersonal computer 300. In practical applications, the transmissioncircuit 122 and the reception circuit 124 are connected to a pluralityof driving circuits 150 and 152 to be driven thereby, as is shown inFIG. 7. Incidentally, since those skilled in the art can easilyunderstand and implement the structures and operations of thetransmission circuit 122, the reception circuit 124 and the drivingcircuits 150 and 152, detailed description thereof will be unnecessary.

Next, referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, description will be made of thenoncontact IC card 202 which is incarnated, by way of example only, asan ID card. In this conjunction, FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view showinggenerally the noncontact IC card 202, and FIG. 9 is an enlargedsectional view of the noncontact IC card 202.

The noncontact IC card 202 carries individual identification information212 or the like (“individual” is not to be interpreted as beingrestricted to human beings but should be construed as encompassinganimals, plants, buildings, manufactured goods or the like) andinvisible information (e.g. invisible bar code 220), and promisesvarious multi-purpose applications which cover financial applications(cashing card, credit card, electronic money managing medium, firmbanking, home banking or the like), commercial distribution applications(shopping card, prepaid card, point card, merchandise bond or the like),various types of membership cards (for hotel, airline company, golffield, restaurant or the like), medical applications (consultationticket, health insurance card, blood donor card, health note, medicalcard storing health information or the like), traffic applications(stored fair (SF) card, coupon ticket, license, commuter's ticket,airline ticket, highway card, parking card, passport or the like),insurance applications (insurance policy or the like), bond applications(bond or the like), education applications (student's identificationcard, achievement certificate or the like), certificates of variousmemberships and enterprises (certificate of staff, permit ID card foraccess to depository or the like), administration applications(certificate of one's seal impression, tax payment card, resident cardor the like) and so forth.

Referring to FIG. 8, the noncontact IC card 202 includes, by way ofexample, a substrate pattern 211, a face photograph 212, card issuerinformation 214, a card issuer logo mark 216, an ID number 218, aninvisible bar code 220 and a coil-on IC chip 250. The noncontact IC card202 has same dimensions as the credit card, a so-called ISO(International Organization for Standardization) size (54 mm in length,85.6 mm in width and 0.76 mm in thickness). However, the shape and thesize of the noncontact IC card is not restricted to the ISO size but mayhave a given shape (e.g. pendant-like shape, coin-like shape, key-likeshape, tag-like shape or the like) in dependence on the intended ordescribed application(s). Further, the components 211 to 218 shown inFIG. 8 may be implemented in white, black or any color.

The substrate pattern 211 may be constituted by a desired pattern suchas a photograph, picture or animation or alternatively may beimplemented patternless. The face photograph 212 and identificationnumber 218 (membership number, credit card number or the like) do notalways represent the indispensable component items. The card issuerinformation 214 may be e.g. hotel name, airline company name, creditcard company name, school name or the like, and the card issuer logomark 216 may be a logo mark or the like of an airline company, etc. Thecard issuer information 214 may include the status of the card (goldmembership, platinum membership or the like) and additionally contain arelated company (e.g. associate credit company, associate airlinecompany, associate hotel or the like), as the case may be. Besides, thenoncontact IC card 202 may carry information concerning the term ofvalidity of the card and/or other marks (hologram, sign panel, carvedstamp, hot stamp, image print or the like) as occasion requires. The IDnumber 218 of the card according to the instant embodiment of theinvention is formed by printing instead of embossing although it is notintended that the embossment be excluded from the information mediumaccording to the present invention.

The invisible bar code 220 is printed with a phosphor material andaffixed ordinarily with a serial number or a unique number which differsfrom one to another card in the case of the instant embodiment. At thisjuncture, it should however be mentioned that the invisible bar code 220may be replaced by other invisible information such as a mark, a stringof characters or symbols or the like, as the case may be. The phosphormaterial becomes excited upon exposure to energy such as of light,electrons, etc., while emitting energy upon restoration to the groundstate. In the card according to the present invention, any one ofphosphors which is susceptible to excitation and luminescence withultraviolet ray, infrared ray or visible light rays can be employed.However, in the case of the instant embodiment now under consideration,it is presumed, only by way of example, that phosphor which can undergoexcitation with infrared ray invisible with the eye of the user andwhich can emit the infrared ray upon restoration to the ground state.

Light ray of long wavelength such infrared ray is likely to transitthrough printed matters and films. Accordingly, even when a printedlayer is applied over the invisible bar code 220, the luminescenceintensity will scarcely lower. However, in the case where aninfrared-ray absorbing printed matter such as of carbon is disposed onthe invisible bar code 220, infrared rays will be absorbed. Accordingly,it is preferred to dispose the printed matter which does not absorbinfrared rays.

Next, referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the principle of reading theinvisible bar code 220 will be described. In this conjunction, FIG. 10is a schematic perspective view for illustrating the principle ofreading the invisible bar code 220. FIG. 11 is a chart for illustrating,by way of example, of the signals originating in the invisible bar code220 as read. As is shown in FIG. 10, the invisible bar code 220 can bedetected by means of a detector 504 which may be constituted by aphotodiode through cooperation with a light source 502 such as a LED.When the invisible bar code 220 is irradiated with excitation light raysemitted from the light source 502, these portions of the invisible barcode formed of phosphor emit light rays. However, at the portions of theinvisible bar code applied with no phosphor, the excitation light raysare reflected. The reflection light rays are cut off by an opticalfilter 505 disposed in front of the detector 504. Thus, only thefluorescent rays are detected by the detector. By moving the invisiblebar code 220 in the direction indicated by an arrow, a signalcorresponding to the bar code can be obtained in the form of an analogueoutput signal from the detector 504. The analogue output signal is thenconverted to a digital output signal by an A/D converter connected tothe detector 504 although illustration of the A/D converter is omitted.In this way, the bar code information can be read.

The invisible bar code 220 facilitates management of the noncontact ICcard 202. The management may include, for example, management forissuance of the noncontact IC cards 202 by printing or punching anddelivery thereof to customers, management for reissuance of new card fordefective card 202 of which use is disabled, collative management ofprinted contents upon magnetic encoding or IC encoding for magnetic cardor IC card which is to constitute the card 202. The invisible bar code220 does not injure the aesthetic appearance of the substrate pattern211 because the presence of the invisible bar code 220 is not externallyperceptible. Additionally, by virtue of the feature that the presence ofthe bar code can not visibly be recognized, the leakage of bar codeinformation is difficult to occur, whereby the security of the card 202can be enhanced.

Next, referring to FIG. 9, description will be made of an exemplarystructure of the card 202. The noncontact IC card 202 includes asubstrate 230, printed layers 232 and 234 and protecting layers 236 and238, respectively. The substrate 230 may be formed of, for example,vinyl chloride, plastic or polyester sheet. Further, there may bedisposed on the substrate 230 a display and a keyboard not shown forthereby making it possible to realize a further increased number offunctions. The substrate 230 is equipped with the coil-on IC chip 250.In that case, the IC chip 250 can store therein the informationconcerning the invisible bar code 220.

The printed layer 232 includes the components 211 to 220 shown in FIG.8. In a selectable modification, the substrate pattern 211 and the othercomponents 212 to 220 may be formed as the discrete printed layers,respectively. More specifically, as for the printed layer 232, the IDinformation and the invisible bar code 220 are formed in the sameprinted layer. Heretofore, the ID information and the invisible bar code220 are formed as the separate printed layers, respectively, as a resultof which there has been arisen a fear of e.g. the face photograph 212being substituted fraudulently by laminating the top layer. However, theprinted layer 232 according to the present invention solves the problemmentioned above and ensures enhanced security for the card 202.

The printed layer 234 which can selectively be provided is printed onthe back surface of the substrate 230 in the form of e.g. a magneticstripe in which the information concerning the invisible bar code 220can be stored. At this juncture, it should be mentioned that the phrase“information concerning the invisible bar code 220” is used in the senseto conceptually cover the bar code information (e.g. ID code or thelike) and the information correspondent to the bar code (e.g. address,name, age, date of birth, physical features or the like).

The printed layers 232 and 234 are formed of a toner, ink or other sortof developer. The toner may be magnetic or nonmagnetic and may containone component or two components (inclusive of carrier). The ink maycontain solvent, colorant, oxide, binder, lubricant and additionally oralternatively other component(s). The ink for printing the IDinformation and the ink for printing the invisible bar code 220 differfrom each other in respect to presence/absence of a coloring agent andother compositions. As the protecting layers 236 and 238, there may beemployed, for example, vinyl chloride over-film, polyester over-film orthe like.

Now referring to FIG. 12, description will be made of the coil-on ICchip 250. In this conjunction, it should first be mentioned that thecoil-on IC chip 250 is positioned with equidistance from the front andback surfaces and a distance of 15 mm from the right-hand side as viewedin FIG. 8. As shown in FIG. 12, the coil-on IC chip 250 is composed of asubstrate serving as a supporting member, an IC module 260 which is asemiconductor chip mounted on the substrate and an on-chip coil 252formed on the surface of the IC module 260 by plating. The IC module 260and the on-chip coil 252 are electrically connected to each other atterminals 254. Incidentally, FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective planview of the coil-on IC chip 250.

Conceptually, the coil-on IC chip 250 includes the antenna coil 252 andthe IC module 260, as can be seen in FIG. 13. Incidentally, FIG. 13 is aschematic block diagram showing a structure of the coil-on IC chip 250.The coil 252 can perform wireless or radio communication with thereader/writer 100.

A resonance capacitor 256 has electrostatic capacity C and cooperateswith inductance L of the coil pattern 252 to form a resonance circuitwhich can resonate with the carrier frequency fc of the radio wave fortransmission/reception. Since the resonance frequency f_(r) is given byf_(r)=(½π)(LC)^(−1/2), it is possible to cause a large resonance currentto flow through the coil 252 and the capacitor 256 by making theresonance frequency coincide with the carrier frequency fc, wherein theresonance current can be fed to the IC module 260. The capacitor 256 maybe formed in a same plane as the IC module 260 (i.e., in a single layer)or alternatively in a multi-layer structure. By way of example, the coil253 and the capacitor 256 may be connected to pads 254 with a view toincreasing the communication range of the coil-on IC chip 250, as shownin FIG. 24. Incidentally, FIG. 24 is a schematic plan view of thecoil-on IC chip 250 including the coil 253 and shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing in detail individual components ofthe IC module 260. The IC module 260 is comprised of a power supplycircuit 262, a reset signal generating circuit 263, atransmitter/receiver circuit 264 (i.e., circuitries 264 a to 264 d), alogic control circuit 266, a timing circuit (TIM) 267 and a memory 268.The IC module 260 is capable of communicating with the reader/writer 100through the medium of the coil 252.

Connected to the power supply circuit (PS) 262 is the reset signalgenerating circuit 263 which in turn is connected to the reset terminal(RST) of the logic control circuit 266. The IC module 260 is designed tosupply the operating voltage Vcc (e.g. 5 V) of the communication systemto the logic control circuit 266, which voltage is derived throughelectromagnetic induction from the radio wave W (carrier frequency fc)received from the reader/writer 100. In response to generation of theoperating voltage Vcc, the reset signal generating circuit 263 resetsthe logic control circuit 266 for making preparation for a succeeding orfresh operation.

The transmitter/receiver circuit 264 includes a detector (DET) 264 a, amodulator (MOD) 264 b, a demodulator (DEM) 264 c and an encoder (ENC)264 d. The demodulator 264 c and the encoder 264 d are connected to dataterminals DI and DO, respectively, of the logic control circuit 266. Adecoder composed of a D/A converter or the like may be disposed as anindependent component in a stage succeeding to the demodulator 264 c, asoccasion requires. In that case, the decoder may be so arranged as toconstitute a codec circuit in cooperation with the encoder 264 d. Thetiming circuit 267 is used for generating a variety of timing signalsand connected to a clock terminal (CLK) of the logic control circuit266.

The receiver circuitry of the transmitter/receiver circuit 264 isconstituted by the detector 264 a and the demodulator 264 c. Thereceived radio wave W is detected by the detector 264 a, whereon thedemodulator 264 c reconstructs a base-band signal from the detectedsignal for deriving the data. The reconstructed base-band signal (orsignal reconstructed succeedingly as the case may be) is sent to thelogic control circuit 266 as a data signal DI.

The transmitter circuitry of the transmitter/receiver circuit 264 iscomposed of the modulator 264 b and the encoder 264 d each of which maybe implemented in any given structure known in the art. For sending thedata, the carrier is modulated in conformance with the data to betransmitted and then sent to the coil 252. As the modulation scheme, anASK for modulating the amplitude of the carrier frequency signal, a PSKfor modulating the phase or the like may be adopted. Moreover, a loadmodulation may equally be adopted. With the load modulation, it isintended to mean the modulation of a medium power (load) in conformancewith the subcarrier. The encoder 264 d encodes (bit encoding) the dataDO to be transmitted with a predetermined code (e.g. Manchester code,PSK code, etc.), whereon the encoded data is fed to the coil 252.

The transmitter/receiver circuit 264 is controlled by the logic controlcircuit 266 so as to operate in synchronism with the timing signal(clock) generated by the timing circuit 267. The logic control circuit266 may be realized by a CPU. The memory 268 is composed of a ROM, aRAM, an EEPROM and/or a FRAM, etc., for example, in a structure shown inFIG. 23. Incidentally, FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing an exemplarystructure of the memory 268. The logic control circuit 266 is designedto be capable of communicating with the reader/writer 100 or executingpredetermined processing(s) on the basis of the data mentioned above. Byway of example, the ID information, value such as electronic money of apredetermined amount, transaction records, etc. may be stored in thememory 268, while the logic control circuit 266 may be so designed as tobe capable of increasing/decreasing the value mentioned above independence on predetermined transactions (e.g. purchase of ticket,receipt/payment of electronic money or the like). Incidentally,arrangements and operations of the components mentioned above can easilybe understood by those skilled in the art. Accordingly, any furtherdetailed description will be unnecessary.

The noncontact IC tag 204 is implemented with a diameter of 30 mm and athickness of 1.5 mm, wherein the coil-on IC chip 250 is disposed at thecenter of the noncontact IC tag. Accordingly, the distance from theperiphery of the coil-on IC chip 250 shown in FIG. 15 is 15 mm, as inthe case of the distance of the coil-on IC chip 250 from the right-handside of the noncontact IC card shown in FIG. 8. Consequently, when thenoncontact information media 200 shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 15 are placedin the receiving cavities 40 and 50, respectively, the coil-on IC chips250 of both the information media substantially overlap with each other.The communication module 110 incorporated in the reader/writer 100 isdisposed at the position capable of communicating with these coil-on ICchips 250. Incidentally, FIG. 15 is a plan view of the noncontact IC tag204.

In the coil-on IC chip 250 shown in FIG. 15, the antenna 252 isimplemented in a small size. Accordingly, the size of the card and thetag is not restricted by the shape of the coil, differing from theconventional noncontact card known heretofore. Thus, the size of asubstrate 270 of the noncontact IC tag 204 can be miniaturized, which inturn means that the substrate 270 can be realized in a desired shapesuch as ellipse, rhombus, heart shape or the like without being limitedto the circular (cylindrical) shape as in the case of the instantembodiment of the invention. In general, in the case where thereader/writer 100 is employed as the extension unit of the electronicapparatus or equipment, the shape of the noncontact IC tag 204 issubjected to no restriction. In the extension unit for the note-typepersonal computer 300, the memory 262 of the coil-on IC chip 250 canstore therein home page addresses of enterprises for the purpose of e.g.advertisement, software program(s), game(s) and interim and/or finalresults of predetermined processing(s).

The noncontact information medium 200 may include a plurality of coil-onIC chips 250. By way of example, referring to FIG. 21 and FIG. 22, thenoncontact IC card 202 may be substituted by noncontact IC cards 202 aand 202 b each equipped with a plurality of coil-on IC chips 250.Incidentally, FIG. 21 is a schematic plan view showing a modification ofthe noncontact IC card 202. FIG. 22 is a schematic plan view showinganother modification of the noncontact IC card 202. Since each of thecoil-on IC chips 250 included in the noncontact IC cards 202 a and 202b, respectively, has a short communication range, there arisesessentially no problem of cross-talk.

The noncontact IC card 202 a includes a pair of coil-on IC chips 250which are capable of storing different information In the respectivememories 268. By way of example, the information concerning theelectronic money may be stored in the upper coil-on IC chip 250 whilethe information concerning the credit may be stored in the lower coil-onIC chip 250. In this case, by placing the card 202 a in the receivingcavity 50 in a direction A or B, the communication module 110 canperform communication with the desired one of the coil-on IC chips 250.On the other hand, in order to enable communication with the desiredcoil-on IC chip 250 in the case of the noncontact IC card 202 b, thecommunication module 110 may be implemented to be movable, by way ofexample. Parenthetically, it goes without saying that similarmodification can be made for the noncontact IC tag 204 as well.

In the following, description will be made of operation of thereader/writer 100. It is assumed, by way of example, that the noncontactinformation medium 200 stores the ID information (password) in thememory 268 thereof. In that case, the reader/writer 100 can be employedas the access management unit for a computer database installed in acompany, institute, university, etc.

In that case, the user first inserts his or her noncontact informationmedium 200 in the reader/writer 100. In response, the reader/writer 100sends out the radio wave W of the carrier frequency fc, prompting thenoncontact information medium 200 to send back the ID number. The radiowave W mentioned above is preferably received by the coil 252 (andselectively by the coil 253) which resonates with the carrier frequencyfc. As a result of this, an induced current flows through in the coil252 to be fed to the IC 260. Since the induced current is an alternatingcurrent, the induced current is converted to a direct current in thepower supply circuit 262, from which operating constant voltages for theindividual components can be derived.

On the other hand, the control module 266 responds to the signal(induced current) supplied via the coil 252 and the demodulating circuitnot shown to thereby cause the individual components to operate suchthat the ID information (password or the like) is read out from thememory 268 to be subsequently sent out from the coil 252. In thismanner, the ID information is read out from the memory 268 to be sentexternally by way of the transmitter/receiver circuit 264 and the coil252. The ID information emanated from the coil 252 is transferred to theantenna part 140 of the reader/writer 100 electromagnetically coupled tothe coil 252. The antenna part 140 supplies the ID information asreceived to the control interface part 120 which responds thereto byissuing a request for checking the validity of the ID information to thenote-type personal computer 300 or a host computer or other connected tothe control interface part.

Alternatively, the reader/writer 100 may be so designed as to prompt theuser to input the password and/or fingerprint, voiceprint or irisinformation. In this manner, check can simultaneously be performed as towhether or not the user is the authorized owner of the noncontactinformation medium or media 200. In that case, a fingerprint reader orthe like (not shown) will have to be employed in combination with thereader/writer 100. Subsequently, when it is confirmed that the IDinformation is genuine, the user can make access to the note-typepersonal computer 300 or the database of a host computer connectedthereto. In case the ID information is not genuine, the user access isrejected, needless to say.

In the foregoing, description has been made of the preferred embodimentsof the present invention. It should however be appreciated that variousmodifications and variations are possible within the purview of thepresent invention. For example, in the illustrated embodiments, aclose-fit-type noncontact information medium whose communication rangeis short or narrow is employed as the noncontact information media 200.It should however be understood that the teachings of the presentinvention can find applications to numerous noncontact information mediain general. In addition, by implementing the antenna 142 of thecommunication module 110 incorporated in the reader/writer 100 to belarger than the antenna included in the noncontact information media200, the positioning error between the reader/writer 100 and thenoncontact information medium 200 can be absorbed.

With the information Input/output unit according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention, communication with theclose-fit-type noncontact information medium can be performed withoutfail, whereby enhanced reliability can be ensured for the datacommunication. Besides, with the noncontact information medium accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, different types ofdata can be stored for realizing the multi-function performance.

1. An information input/output unit comprising: a main body having anantenna part for exchanging information with noncontact informationmedia; and a position regulating device for selectively regulatingpositions of at least a part of a periphery of said noncontactinformation media in dependence on the species of said noncontactinformation media, respectively, such that said antenna part can faceoppositely a location at which said communication-destined antenna isincorporated in the noncontact information medium of any speciesinserted in said input/output unit as selected; wherein saidinput/output unit performs information exchange with plural species ofnoncontact information media of different shapes incorporatinginternally communication-destined antennas at predetermined positions,respectively.
 2. The information input/output unit set forth in claim 1,wherein said position regulating device has a corrugated surface whichis brought into contact with said noncontact information media.
 3. Theinformation input/output unit set forth in claim 1, wherein saidposition regulation device comprises a positioning portion forpositioning the noncontact information media having a curvilinearsurface contour while engaging with said curvilinear surface contour. 4.The information input/output unit set forth in claim 1, wherein theshapes of the noncontact information media include those of a card and atoken.
 5. The information input/output unit set forth in claim 1,wherein said noncontact information media includes a coil-on IC chip. 6.The information input/output unit set forth in claim 1, wherein saidposition regulating device includes a notch which can facilitate amanual removal of said noncontact information media therefrom.
 7. Theinformation input/output unit set forth in claim 1, further comprising apop-up mechanism which enables a mechanical removal of said noncontactinformation media from said position regulating device.
 8. Theinformation input/output unit set forth in claim 1, further comprising afirst indicator indicating that communication with said noncontactinformation medium media is being performed.
 9. The informationinput/output unit set forth in claim 8, further comprising a secondindicator indicating that an error is occurring in the communicationwith said noncontact information medium media.
 10. The informationinput/output unit set forth in claim 1, further comprising a thirdindicator indicating on/off-state of an electric power supply.
 11. Theinformation input/output unit set forth in claim 1, wherein saidnoncontact information media have different thicknesses, respectively.12. The information input/output unit set forth in claim 1, wherein:said position regulating device has a structure selectively receivingthe noncontact information media based on the kind and the shape of thenoncontact information media.